Brendan Sorsby Speaks Out as Cincinnati Avoids Punishment in Gambling Controversy

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech received widespread criticism for its handling of the situation with transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby, and whether that was warranted or not, the discussion remained centered on the Red Raiders' new "villain" persona more than anything else.

Red Raiders fans would be the first to bring up how Cincinnati is supposed to fare.

Is there any penalty for the Bearcats, who allegedly had received tips on Sorsby's gambling habits but still allowed him to play?

Since Sorsby and Tech's separation, where the school ran into legal pressure by the Big 12 Conference and Sorsby was denied a chance at the NFL's supplemental draft, Cincinnati's involvement has moved more under the microscope.

Thursday's news told us that Sorsby's former program would avoid punishment.

Cincinnati was cleared of "any wrongdoing in its handling of former quarterback Brendan Sorsby," as reported by The Cincinnati Enquirer.

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"Earlier this summer, NCAA enforcement staff completed an inquiry into a former Cincinnati student-athlete's prohibited betting activity during his time at the university," said Zach Stipe, senior associate athletic director for communications at Cincinnati.

"The inquiry is now closed and the student-athlete was found to have committed a Level III violation. Cincinnati worked closely with the NCAA throughout the process, which began when the initial reports of impermissible sports wagering began."

Before committing to Texas Tech in the transfer portal and receiving a temporary injunction that allowed him to play despite his history, Sorsby had wagered north of $90,000 during his time as a backup at Indiana and as the starter at Cincinnati.

Texas Tech remained supportive of Sorsby throughout the process and, as the court-issued injunction stated, was willing to use his participation with the football team as that means of his support.

The Red Raiders' program ran into complications after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a "threat" that would have initiated legal action against the Big 12 if Tech were put under sanctions. The conference countersued, forcing Tech to cut ties with Sorsby to avoid further damage.

Sorsby is not on a team this season and will privately train in preparation for the 2027 NFL Draft.

"I know how quickly things can go wrong," Sorsby said in the new Paramount+ production titled "The Program" that covers the Red Raiders' offseason as conference champions.

"Everything can get ripped from you.”

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Sorsby was clinically diagnosed with a gambling addiction, and his entrance into a residential rehab facility in Lubbock this summer captivated the college sports world, with conversations centered on ethics in sport as a whole ... and how Texas Tech, again, has found itself in the center of the college football's biggest controversies.

The Red Raiders' program, led by spirited head coach Joey McGuire, has been one of the nation's biggest spenders in NIL, revenue sharing and the transfer portal over the past two seasons. The winning has only exacerbated the program's notoriety.

Texas Tech, leaving the Sorsby situation in the past, remains a favorite to win the Big 12 with new starter Will Hammond behind center.

Cincinnati hosts the Red Raiders on Oct. 24 this season.

"Looking back on it, I know that Texas Tech and I handled everything with integrity, and we did things the right way," said Cody Campbell, Texas Tech's board of regents chairman and a megadonor to the football program.

About the Red Raiders' stance within the Big 12? Campbell says they'll let the play do the talking.

"I think this is something that could have been handled much more privately. We’re not going to forget about that, and I don’t think they’ll forget about it either when we’re up by 40 and still throwing the ball in the fourth quarter," he said in the documentary. "That’s where the retribution will come."

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